WESTERN CLASSIFICATION of the MATERIA MEDICA
3K. EXPECTORANT
Medicines that Expel Phlegm
Expectorant medicines are medicines that specifically clear Phlegm from the airways. However, this class of medicines are used for Phlegm conditions elsewhere in the body.
Various types of Phlegm
1. Cold-Phlegm-Damp: the true nature of Phlegm is cold and moist, and when uncomplicated, a Phlegm disorder is of this type. There is excess clear or white mucus, heaviness of the body, mental dullness, the sound of rattling Phlegm in the Throat. Tongue is pale, moist, with a white coating, pulse is slow.
2. Phlegm–Heat: when Phlegm mixes with Heat (Bile) it forms Phlegm-Heat. The Mucus is thick, sticky, yellowish and maybe with a foul smell. Tongue is red with a thick yellowish coating and a rapid pulse.
3. Wind–Phlegm: Wind diseases may come from Phlegm obstructing the Brain and Nerves. In these cases medicines that clear Wind are combined with those that settle Wind and Spasms.
Sample Expectorant Combinations:
1. Oxymel of Squill (6 drams), Gum Ammoniac (2 scruples), Cinnamon Water (2 ounces)
2. Gum Ammoniac (2 drams), Saffron, Benzoin (half dram each). Form 36 pills
3. Decoction of Senega (10 drams), Tragacanth powder (half dram), Spirit of Pennyroyal (1.5 drams), Syrup of Violet (2 drams)
4. Syrup of Squill (half ounce), Pennyroyal Water (5 oz.), Asafetida (1 dram)
5. Mucilage of Quince seed (half ounce), Syrup of Red Poppy (6 drams), Honey of Rose (1 ounce). Mix
Warm Expectorants for Cold Phlegm
Cold Expectorants for Hot Phlegm
| Cold Seeds | Poppy seed |
| Lettuce seed | Mallow seed |
| Borage | Ribwort Plantain |
| Barley | Rice |
| Starch | Tabasheer |
| Marshmallow | Mallow |
| Ground Ivy | Maidenhair |
| Agaric | Polypody |
| Lungwort | Pellitory of the Wall |
| Kelp | Pumice |
Warming Compounds
| Diacalamintum | Lohoch of Fox Lungs |
| Diareos Salomonis | Diacyminum |
| Diapenidium with Spices | Lohoch Sanum & Expertum |
